Written answers

Thursday, 31 January 2013

Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade

Overseas Development Aid

Photo of Brendan SmithBrendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade his views on a recent report in relation to expenditure under his Department's overseas development aid (details supplied); if he is satisfied that all expenditure incurred was necessary and provided good value for this expenditure from the Exchequer; if he is satisfied that the existing methods of monitoring expenditure on such programmes on an ongoing basis are adequate; his plans to review such monitoring of expenditure; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5008/13]

Photo of Joe CostelloJoe Costello (Dublin Central, Labour)
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This covered all funding for the Government’s aid programme, including the long term programmes of strategic assistance in Irish Aid’s nine programme countries, administered by our diplomatic missions in those countries. The newspaper report referred to by the Deputy relates to information released by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade in response to a request under the Freedom of Information Act. This set out all individual items of expenditure over €500 under Vote 27 in relation to grants to aid recipients and payments for goods and services in the nine programme countries during 2012.

The Department has in place comprehensive systems and procedures to control and account for expenditure and to ensure the efficient and effective use of resources. It operates rigorous systems for planning, monitoring, evaluating and auditing all funding provided for under the aid programme. Programmes are closely monitored at mission level and at headquarters to ensure that they deliver the intended results, in line with our objectives in contributing to the fight against poverty and hunger in some of the poorest countries and communities in the world. A comprehensive system of internal audit is in place, with an independent audit committee, which reports directly to the Secretary General of the Department. All expenditure is subject to audit by the Department’s Evaluation and Audit Unit, and is also audited annually by the Comptroller and Auditor General.

Our development programme operates with what by international standards is a very modest administrative overhead. Administrative expenditure incurred at mission level is set at a prudent level, and overseen by the Head of Mission. It is subject to strong budgetary and financial control. Expenditure on goods and services above a threshold of €5000 is subject to the Department’s tendering procedures, in accordance with national and EU procurement regulations.

I expect funding provided under the aid programme to be used for the purposes intended. I know that all those working to deliver Ireland’s aid programme are committed to making the strongest possible contribution, on behalf of the Irish people, to the fight against poverty and hunger, and that they will continue to monitor all items of expenditure under the programme on this basis.

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